The Rise of Broken Women’s advocates on behalf of women everywhere for access to menstrual hygiene products, and the elimination of taxation of these necessities.

In the United States, there are 35 States where menstrual hygiene products are taxed. The RBW is connecting with local state, and federal officials to provide information-seeking support, and lobbying for change.

RBW has noticed that quite often government officials have not considered the fact that menstrual hygiene products are a basic necessity and as a result are still being taxed. In most public schools, these products are not readily available in the same way as soap and toilet tissue generally are. They come with a cost that supersedes a monetary transaction and often carries a social stigma as part of the price tag.

No state or federal agency provides support or discounts for menstrual hygiene products.  The state has a lengthy list of tax-exempt items for the state’s tax-free weekend including purses, riding wear, ballet shoes, baby diapers, and adult incontinence products. Menstrual hygiene products are not among exempt those items as stated earlier.

The impact is extensive and deeply felt. In the US, a survey found 20 percent of all girls miss 5 to 10 days of school each month, during their cycles. Unable to afford enough pads, girls leave school early or just stay absent. The average woman will need somewhere between 10,000 and 16,000 pads in her lifetime,  depending on her menstrual cyclical flow.

The RBW advocates legislators on the urgency to obtain menstrual hygiene products tax-free, at a discounted or pro bono rate depending on the need. We believe through legislative action, and education we can inspire a change.